David Beckham Stars In UNICEF Match For Children

The UNICEF Match For Children was a huge success at Old Trafford, with David Beckham being the star of the show.

Former England international, David Beckham was the cynosure of all eyes in his UNICEF Match for Children at a packed Old Trafford on Saturday.

The Great Britain and Ireland team coached by Sir Alex Ferguson won 3-1 against Carlo Ancelotti's Rest of the World side in a game that saw the lively crowd enjoy every moment of it.

The crowd at the Old Trafford, a place where Beckham started his glittering career gave him a rapturous reception before the game when he addressed the crowd to thank them for supporting the charity he had played a key role in organizing.

Now 40, Beckham’s on-field prowess as well as his star quality came to bear in the game which made the crowd reciprocate with a standing ovation.

Manchester United supporters in attendance were given some reminisces to do of the old days 13 minutes into the game when Beckham's perfectly weighted cross from the right was met in the box by Paul Scholes to nod home. The fans were seen cheering on to it but, Ferguson was the happier as he spared a wide smile in the dugout.

A United glimpse was seen again in a second goal of the GB and Ireland team initiated by Beckham which found Scholes at the back post, who in turn set up another ex-United player Michael Owen to finish from six yards.

Dwight Yorke pulled one back for the World X1 side but Beckham was on hand again as he provided the pass for Ashley Cole who sent one up to give Owen the easiest of braces.

Ronaldinho displayed a string of tricks and flicks throughout the match and almost embarrassed ex-England keeper David Seaman with a late chip, to remind him of the incident in which he beat same player with a free kick for Brazil at the 2002 World Cup.

The touching moment was when he was replaced by his son Brooklyn in the 76th minute, before he came back on to share the field with his first born for the final eight minutes.

As if that was not enough, Beckham warmly embraced players from both sides after the full-time whistle and took the applause of Old Trafford once more as he thanked the supporters and posed for photos with Brooklyn.

Meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane who was a star attraction to the game and fellow former France international Patrick Viera pulled out of Saturday's UNICEF Match for Children because the France greats were devastated by the attacks in Paris.

Beckham offered his sympathy to the victims, while stating his understanding for Zidane's decision.